¥ F 
) For one, I do not see any evidence which justifies such alarming 
predictions as to the future of American agriculture. That agricul- 
ture of late years and at present has failed to bring the pecuniary 
returns which it might, all must admit, but that the prospects for the 
_ future of agriculture in this State and in this country are forbidding, 
I do not believe. In fact, at the risk of being thought optimistic, I 
_ wish to,be placed on record as predicting that, to the best of my 
knowledge and belief, we are about entering upon an era of agricul- 
tural prosperity, the like of which, as a people, we have never known, 
and which prosperity is to be permanent. 
I feel sure I can not present anything which is of greater practical 
value to you to-day than to briefiy give you the reasons for the faith 
which is in me, and I hope that I may succeed in convincing you that 
~ what Washington declared 'to be “the most noble, the most healthful 
- and the most useful occupation of man” is likely soon also to become, 
all things considered, the most profitable. 
First, then, let us seek to learn the cause or causes of the present 
1 aa agricultural depression, since, obviously, if it or they can be removed 
_ the depression must cease. 
Now, we find, upun investigation, that in this State of New York, at 
least, such depression is not due to a diminution in the fertility of 
_  ourlands. This isso important a factor in the prosperity which I 
predict for the future that I know you will be willing to listen to the 
evidence in its support. 
_ AveERAGE YIELD oF Princrpan Farm Crops in New York State 
ai Since 1861 sy BusHELs, Pounps anp PER CENT. 
oo) 
a : a a ee reid ae a a? g 3 
a al eae lee = = th a | $4 
Asi n an a a Sai Ea. o@ =] S t= | 
-5 32 3 -3 oF | wn | 28 S ge 
ia a2 0.2 om BO | 0 os 8,2 pa | Se 
4 iI f= _ uy ~ 
S) Pp 3 a 3,2 o 8 ra 
 . 6) = a) ro) na) a i ss a 
or * 1862-1870... .eceee| 30.20} 14.96} 15.17 | 30.82 22.33 19,77 103.1 | 2516 918 
ROM SAST cle daviesieeeesc |). 02-09 14.90 13.90 33.00 22.15 18.42 81.7 | 2404 919 
PLEGUTISSS sc cccinceases a!) (29,91 14.82 11,94 28.84 22.66 13.40 77.7 | 2222 1346 
‘ MBO VOTO. b oc0's cweee ele 100 100 100 100 | 100 100 100 100 100 
STE LS Ghitledcieis scwe-cie|)i09 99.8 91.6 108.8 99.2 99.2 79.2 95.6 100.1 
BOSO LESS ive casacies | Oo 99.3 78.7 | 95.1 | 101.0 67.8 75.3 80.3 146.6 
_ Value of hay crop in New York in 1888, $61,051,016—50.3 per cent of 
_ , aggregate value of all crops. 
Value of cereal, potato and tobacco crop in New York in 1888, 
 $60,282,841—49.7 per cent of aggregate value of all crops. 
_ Acreage in hay in New York in 1888, 4,933,415=55 per cent of total 
acreage in all crops. 
